Clutch.



D. F. LEPLEY.

CLUTCH. APPucim'on FILED SEPT18, 1914.

1,1 61,398., Patented Nov. 23, 1915.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH c0., WASHINGTON, D. c.

D. F. LEPLEY.

CLUTCH.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 18. 1914.

Patented Nov. 23, 1915.

2 SHEETSSHEET Z.

DANIEL F. LEPLEY, 011 GONNELLSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

CLUTCH- menses.

Specification of Letters Patent Patented Nov.23,1915.

Application filed September 18, 1914. Serial No. 862,390.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, DANIEL F. LEPLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Connellsville, in the county of Fayette and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Clutch, of which the following is l a specification.

vide a powerful and efficient means whereby the actuating wedges may be forced outwardly to actuate the clutch shoes.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings :Figure 1 shows the invention in side elevation; Fig. 2 is a perspective of one of the wedges; Fig. 3 is a fragmental perspective showing one end of one shoe; Fig. 4 is a fragmental cross section of the complete clutch; Fig. '5 is an elevation showing a portion ofthe outer face of the rim; Fig. 6 is an elevation showing a portlon of the inner face of the r1111; Fig. 7 1s a plan showlng the inner faces of the adjacent ends of the shoes; Fig. 8 is a fragmental elevation showing the cooperating ends of the shoes; Fig. 9 is a perspective showing one of the attaching plates; Fig. 10 is a perspective showingthe outer end of one of the spindles.

In carrying out the present invention there is provided a supporting structure in the form of a wheel, the same embodying a tubular hub 1, spokes 2 radiating from the hub and a rim 3 carried by the spokes. If desired, the supporting structure or wheel may be fashioned in two or more parts, these constituent parts being connected by bolts 4 in the common and well known manner.

Between certain of the spokes 2 webs 5 extend. Each web is supplied with a trans-- versely projecting ear 6 to the opposed faces of which links 7 are applied, the links 7 projecting transversely of the wheel and being united with the ear 6 through the-instrumentality ofa pivot element 8.

Disposed between the outer ends of the primary links 7 is a secondary link 9, united with the primary links by means of a pivot element 10. The secondary link 9 is bifurcated as indicated at 11 and bifurcations are received between lugs 12 constituting a part of a shifting collar 14 mounted to reciprocate on the hub 1, the bifurcations 11 of'the secondary link 9 being connected with the lugs 12 by means of a pivot element 15. Located on the pivot element 15 between the bifurcations 11 is a roller 15 which bears on the hub 1 and takes up the thrust.

The invention includes a longitudinally adjustable connection comprising alined rod parts 18 and 16, these parts of the connection being threaded in opposite directions as shown at 19 to receive a sleeve 20, the constituent elements 16 and 18 of the connection, together with the sleeve 20, constituting a turnbuckle, the inner end of which lies between the primary links 7 and is pivoted to the primary links 7, intermediate their ends, as shown at 17.

Projecting inwardly from the rim 3 is a guide boss 21in which the part 18 of the connection is mounted toflslide. Upon its outer face, and upon both sides of the guide in Fig. 2 and is in the form of a'block 24,

the end portions of which lie between the wings 22 in the. space indicated at 26. In-

" ioned into a wedge 28. The outer end of the part 18 of the connection is threaded or otherwise secured to the part 27 of the wedge block,as shown at 29.

'Located exteriorly of the rim 3 are friction shoes30. Two of these shoes are shown,

although a greater number may be employed if considered expedient. Since two shoes are shown 1t 1S obvious that the mechanism hereinbefore described is duplicated.

At their ends, the friction shoes 30 are equipped with lugs 31 having inclined faces 32. The lugs 31 enter the. recesses 23 and the inclined faces 32 of the lugs are adapted to be engaged by the wedge 28.

v circumferentially of'the wheel. "exterior face and adjacent the bosses 33, the

At intervals, the rim 3 is provided with inwardly projecting bosses 33 having, as shown in Fig. 6, slots 34 whichare elongated Upon its rim 3; is provided with recesses 35 adapted to receive attaching members 111 the form of plates 36 secured to the shoes30. The plates 36 are provided with transverse seats 100 having slots 101. Lodged in the seats 100 same outward.

are'headed pivot pins 102 held in place by '1 cotter pins 103. The pins 102 pass through '35 eyes104: .on the ends of spindles 37 which pass through the openings 34: and 101. Surrounding the spindles 37 inwardly of the rim 3 arecompression spring 38 abutting at l their outer ends against the bosses 33 and or heads 39 on moved outwardly, the wedge 28 is moved outwardly, thelugs 31 on the shoes, which lugs enter therecesses 23, being acted upon the wedge 28, to move the shoes outward r and to causethejsame to coact with the element ii). therebyeffecting aclutching operation. The elongated slots 34 and 101 which have the necessary outwar ment wlthout permitting I are put undercompression receive the spindles 37 permit the shoes to or radial movethem to move The springs 38 when the shoes transversely of the rim are set and when the shoes are released by the retraction of the wedge 28, the springs react to draw the shoes inwardly.

The turnbuckle structure 1819-16 affords an adjustable connection between the links 7 and the wedge 28. The toggle joint 9-7 gives a powerful pressure and renders the structure peculiarly eflicient when used to the specific manner in which the wedge block is mounted in the rim, reference being had to Figs. 2 and 5, the mounting of the wedge block is made secure, and the block will at all times exercise its functions properly in holding the clutch members in line when on separate shafts. The wedge blocks, it is to be noted, afford large wearing and supporting areas and a firm and positive lock between the driving and driven elements is aflorded.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. In a clutch, a rim having enlarged openings; shoes on the rim; means for operating the shoes; spindles pivoted to the shoes and movable in the openings circumferentially of the rim; and springs exerting a thrust against the rim and against the spindles.

2. In a clutch, a rim; shoes on the rim; attaching members secured to the shoes and provided with seats and with circumferential slots intersecting the seats; spindles extended through the rim and through the slots; spindle carried means mounted in the seats to permit the spindles to rock in the slots; and springs exerting a thrust against the spindles and against the rim.

3. In a clutch, a support embodying a rim including transverse wings having recesses in their inner faces, a block slidable between the wings and having a transverse head terminally received in the recesses, the outer end of the head being fashioned into a wedge; rim inclosing shoes the ends of which are engaged by the wedge; and means for advancing the block to cause the wedge to: coact with the shoes.

1. In a clutch, a support embodying a hub and arim; a shifting collar movable upon the hub; a secondary link pivoted to the collar; a primary link pivoted to the support and to thesecondary link; shoes upon the exterior of the rim; a wedge engaging the ends of the shoes; and a turnbuckle uniting the" wedge with the intermediate portion of theprimarv link, a portion of the turnbuckle being slidably received in the rim.

5. In a clutch, a support comprising a rim including transverse wings having recesses in their inner faces; a block slidable between the wings and having a transverse head terminally received in the recesses, the outer end of the head being fashioned into a j in connection with heavy machinery. Owing wedge; rim inclosing shoes the ends of Which In testimony that I claim the foregoing are provided With lugs extended between as my own, I have hereto afliXed my signathe Wings, the adjacent faces of the lugs ture in the presence 01": two Witnesses.

being inclined to coact With the Wedge; and DANIEL F. LEPLEY. means for advancing the block to cause the WVitnesses:

Wedge to coact with the inclined faces of IVY E. SIMPSON,

the lugs. PI-IILO ENA A. ROCKELLI.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

